High/Low: Stylish Home Decor Pieces and Their Budget Alternatives

Home decor is a lot like car buying. Some home decor is like an expensive sports car that is beautiful and will last decades. Some home decor is like a budget-realistic reliable daily driver that will take you 200,000 miles.

Sometimes you’re ready to drop serious cash on home decor pieces you know will make a big difference in the feel of your space, and sometimes, you’re just happy to have found a respectable option that fits within the shrinking “home decor” envelope in your budget. Regardless of your financial planning, we’ve collected some of the best high/low home decor picks from around the interwebs, and we think you’ll find something here that fits nicely within your spending goals.

10 stylish home decor pieces and their budget alternatives primer magazine

Tufted Leather Armchair

We love the look of a tufted leather armchair. It’s a classic staple of any living room, and the tufts offer visual interest without looking fussy.

$2,199

EQ3

Sink into the sumptuous leather of EQ3’s deep-seated Plateau Armchair, while enjoying a gorgeous, neutral color that goes with darn near anything.

plateau style living room chair from EQ3

grey tufted chair from wayfair

$479.99

WayFair

Score the look at a fraction of the cost with this gray faux leather armchair from Wayfair (which, at the time of this writing, is 53% off!).

Gorgeous Rugs That Can Also Take A Beating

A rug with a great pattern that can also withstand day-to-day wear and tear can be hard to find, but we think these options are worth a shot!

$1,599

CB2

Handwoven and inspired by traditional Persian rugs, this intricate black and white rug would be stunning in your living room or under your dining table.

black and white detailed rug from CB2

black and white print area rug from poly and bark

$169

Poly & Bark

OEKO-TEX certified and very affordable, this rug is Earth-friendly and easy on the eyes, to boot.

Swanky Drinking Glasses

Did you know that the shape of your drinking glass truly affects the taste of your favorite alcoholic beverage? We assert that looks matter to your enjoyment, too, so go ahead and up your glass game with these picks.

$29.90 (Set of 2 glasses)

Crate & Barrel

Ridges and facets carved into these crystal glasses will catch the light and make you feel extra classy while sipping your favorite whiskey.

set of two rocks glasses from crate and barrel

crystal whiskey glasses from wayfair

$40.99 (Set of 4 glasses)

WayFair

This set of 4 lead-free crystal glasses offers a minimal take on the classic etched whiskey glass, plus they’re dishwasher safe. 

Cool Minimalist Lines Solve Your Blank Wall Problem

Ever feel like you stare at your blank wall and…it stares back? Stop the awkwardness: Hang some framed art on that bleak, gaping wall. (P.S. Don’t miss The Ultimate Collection Of 42 Free Wall Art Prints, for extra ideas!)

$119

Urban Outfitters

This curvy design is a minimalist vision in black and white.

curve line canvas art print from urban outfitters

duo art print from red bubble

$31.73

RedBubble

Support an independent artist and capture the same look with this similar print from Redbubble.

Statement Dining Table

We love the look of a butcher block top table with modern hairpin legs, to take the feel from “quaint farmhouse” to “masculine penthouse.”

$988

Apt2B

This table features thick, recycled pine boards and a natural but elegant look. Free delivery and a 100 day hassle free warranty.

dining table from APT2B

wood dining table from wayfair

$689.99

WayFair

Currently on sale! This solid wood table has a one year warranty and 4.6 average rating with over 180 reviews.

Tufted Leather Couch

Remember what we said about tufts and leather? Bring them to your couch, too, with these great finds.

$2,802.02

Overstock

Gorgeous Italian leather in a warm cognac color would look stunning in any living room.

tufted leather couch from amazon

leather sofa from poly and bark

$1,899

Poly & Bark

The Lyon sofa from Poly & Bark offers a less chunky aesthetic and also boasts naturally distressed Italian leather.

Waffle Weave Shower Curtain

Your shower curtain needs an upgrade. Get a separate liner for the inner part, and a more sophisticated-looking curtain for the outside, to help prevent (or better hide) those mildew stains from your current combo “liner + decorative exterior” curtain.

$44

Urban Outfitters

The waffle weave is another fabric pattern that is a perpetual classic, looking both modern and inviting.

waffle weave shower curtain from urban outfitters

quality waffle weave shower curtain from amazon

$19.99

Amazon

Hotel-quality looks with rust-resistant grommets for longevity.

Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamp

There’s so much to love about the mid-century modern look, but surely its timelessness is one of its best traits. You can invest in a high-quality mid-century modern piece, and it will look stylish in your home for years.

$218

APT2B

We love the angled look of this sleek, black and gold floor lamp. It adds just enough visual interest to an otherwise average lamp, without trying to become the focal point of the room.

floor lamps from wayfair

floor lamp from wayfair

$106

WayFair

This handsome black floor lamp has brass accents and  is adjustable up to 65.6”

A Warm-Toned Wood Media Stand

Resist the urge to plunk a solid black IKEA media stand in the center of your living room. Black furniture, especially large, standalone pieces, can make your room look like it has a giant black hole in the middle. Opt instead for wooden media stands with warm tones, like these we’ve found.

$1,148

APT2B

This solid wood media center with doors in a honeycomb-inspired design is as functional as it is sophisticated.

wood stand from APT2B

wood media console from amazon

$660.10

Amazon

This cabinet from Amazon’s Rivet line is made of solid hardwood and features a French gray finish.

Oh-So-Soft and Oh-So-Much-Nicer Duvet Covers

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of incorporating texture on otherwise bland, boring duvets (see my piece on “13 Best Picks for Masculine Bedding”), especially when they’re a solid color, like white or cream.

$230

Snowe

Italian-milled long-staple cotton creates a luxuriant, rumpled look that’s soft, elegant and inviting.

Softexture Duvet Cover from Snowe

MooMee Pre-Washed Egyptian Cotton Thick High Thread Duvet Cover Set from Amazon

$64.99

Amazon

Capture a soft, breezy, tousled effect with this affordable duvet cover from Amazon.

What’s your best budget find for home decor? Share below in the comments!

This post may contain affiliate links, read about our editorial promise
Lindsey Silva

Lindsey Silva is a native Texan currently living in Germany. She writes about home decor and real estate, and dabbles in academic editing. Her interests include Brazilian jiu-jitsu, balcony gardening, binge watching Forensic Files with her husband, and spending an unhealthy amount of time on Reddit.